13 Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Baby Before 1 Year

It’s been a bumpy yet exciting time since your little one was born, and now you’re ready to start introducing them to solid foods. Congratulations! You’ve hit a milestone. At this stage, your infant is probably attracted to everything that goes into your mouth. While this is kind of cute, you need to be careful what goes into theirs. Some foods pose a choking hazard to your baby while some are not suitable for them. Below is a list of foods not to give baby before 1 year.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Baby

Honey

Honey is all natural and sweet but it may contain spores of the Costridium botulinum bacteria. Although the bacteria are harmless to adults, they can cause infant botulism in babies who are less than a year old. Babies who are older usually have a more mature digestive system that can fight off botulism. Symptoms of botulism include difficulty sucking from bottle or breast, weak cries, floppy movements and constipation.

Milk

Soy milk and cow milk contain protein that your baby cannot digest. They also contain minerals that can be harmful to their kidneys. Some babies tend to be lactose intolerant while other have protein allergies. It is therefore nor prudent to risk giving them milk. Research has shown that cow milk can make your baby’s intestines bleed, and this can cause anemia. For these reasons it is prudent to stick to formula and breast milk during the baby’s first year.

Peanut Butter

Not only is peanut butter an allergen, it is also a choking hazard. Giving your baby a spoonful of this thick, sticky delicacy is a recipe for disaster. If you have a history of nut allergies in your family, then there’s a chance your baby is allergic too. Have a pediatrician perform an allergy test before introducing your baby to peanut butter after the first year.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a delicious delight that is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Nonetheless, they are too acidic for your baby’s delicate digestive system. Strawberries and other berries contain a protein that’s difficult for infants to digest. They’re also an allergen, making them one of the foods not to give baby before 1 year.

Salt

Babies only need 1 gram of salt per day. Formula and breast milk contain all the salt they need. Their kidneys are also not developed enough to deal with more than the recommended amounts of sodium. Do not add salt in their food before they hit the 1-year mark. Processed foods, especially those not mean for toddlers, contain excessive amounts of salt so you should avoid giving your baby.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are highly allergenic and are also a chocking risk. Your baby still has a very small airway so something as tiny as a nut could easily get lodged in their throat. While nuts and seeds are excellent protein sources, you should give them cooled egg yolk or tofu.

Grapes

Grapes are nutrient rich and sweet. They make for a great snack for kids older than 1 year. You shouldn’t give them to your toddler because the skin of grapes is difficult to break down. They’re also a chocking hazard even when cut in half. If you want to give your baby fruits, stick to cooked down pears and apples, or bananas.

Egg Whites

While egg yolks are an excellent meal for your baby, egg whites are a different ball game. Allergic reactions to egg whites are particularly common in babies. If your baby loves eggs, like most babies do, you should separate the whites and only cook the yolk. A good way to go about this is to boil the egg and peel off the whites. If you’re feeding them on eggs for the first time, do not combine with any other meal to allow you to pinpoint any allergic reactions. This is one of the foods not to give baby before 1 year.

Chocolate

If you love eating chocolate, you’ve probably been tempted to give your baby some at some point. Don’t! The caffeine in chocolate is not good for your baby. If the chocolate contains dairy, the consequences could be worse especially if they’re lactose intolerant. Chocolate also poses a choking risk to your little one.

Raw Carrots

Did you know that raw carrots are the 3rd biggest choking hazard for babies? The safest way to give your little one carrots is when they have been cooked in water and are soft and mashed.

Seafood

Seafood is a known allergen for babies. Before feeding your little one boneless fish ensure you seek the advice of your pediatrician. They will be able to determine whether your baby is allergic to seafood. You should particularly avid shellfish such as clams, crabmeat and shrimps. You should also steer clear of fish with high mercury levels such as swordfish, shark, fresh tuna, king mackerel and tilefish.

It‘s not all doom and gloom. There are some varieties that can be fed to babies including hake, haddock, pollack, whitefish, ocean perch, tilapia, wild salmon, trout, flounder, sole, and scallop. Just make sure to limit it to 1 ounce for every 12 pounds of your baby’s weight.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a crunchy, delicious snack but you shouldn’t be giving it to your baby because it’s a choking hazard. Popcorn is so dangerous that doctors recommend holding it off until the baby is at least 4 years old. This is one of the foods not to give baby before 1 year.

Wheat

Wheat allergies are one of the most common food allergies. If there is a history of whet allergies in your family then you would do well to avoid feeding your baby on food containing wheat. Avoid giving them pasta, bread, crackers and some cereals. Instead, go for gluten-free foods meant for babies.